Second phase of the project to transfer water from Aras River to East Azarbaijan is awaiting funds, director of the provincial Regional Water Company said.
"Construction of phase 2 is estimated to cost €688 million and necessary permits have been issued to attract funding," Yusuf Ghaffarzadeh was quoted as saying by the Persian daily Donya-e-Eqtesad.
The venture is of great importance as it will help support supply of much-needed water to 22 cities and 169 villages in and around Tabriz, Marand, Jolfa and Shabestar, he said.
"The second phase entails 110 kilometers of pipeline in addition to constructing utilities like pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants. Environmental permits have been issued by the Department of Environment.”
Referring to the first phase that was completed at a cost of €55 million, Ghaffarzadeh said that part was funded by the National Development Fund of Iran.
From the total 600 million cubic meters of water that will be transferred per annum, 100 mcm will be channeled to Lake Urmia in northwest.
The project to send water from Aras River to East Azarbaijan was launched in 2010 and it triggered controversy as environmentalists insist it will negatively impact the people's livelihood along the river, especially in Ardebil Province where the water is used not only for drinking but also for farming.
Iran is situated in an arid and semi-arid region and average precipitation rate has fallen to levels way below the global average while underground water resources are drying up at terrible speed.
Caption: The second phase entails 110 kilometers of pipeline in addition to constructing utilities like pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants.
